Shillong, Nov 20: Meghalaya Tourism Minister Timothy D Shira on Thursday announced that the permanent venue for holding of the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival is under construction outside the city.
“Now a permanent site is under construction outside Shillong,” Shira said while responding to a query on criticism over holding the festival in an already congested Shillong.
He added, “Criticism will be there all the time when you do good or bad things. We don’t blame those who criticize us.”
The minister described this year’s Cherry Blossom Festival as a “very successful” edition, noting a strong influx of visitors from both within and outside the state.
“I should say it is a very successful one because we are getting many visitors and many tourists also are coming from outside the state to attend the festival. I have to take a look at the report on the number of people who attended the festival,” he stated.
Regarding the upcoming Megong festival, Minister Shira said a separate permanent site is being developed between Williamnagar and Jengjal along National Highway 51.
“It will be a permanent site. It is located between Williamnagar and Jengjal along the national highway 51. The festival will be held in the permanent site this year. That is under construction. May be 75 per cent is already completed and I think it will be possible for us to hold Megong Festival there.”
Regarding international artistes performing in the Megong festival, he said, “I am yet to know but there are some proposals.”
